NFL Game Capsules - Week 7

East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Peyton Hillis hadn't been in the
Metropolitan area since posing for the 2012 Madden cover. From the cover boy
to jobless in less than three years, Hillis returned to the national
spotlight on Monday and helped the New York Giants pick up their first win
of the season. Hillis ran for a touchdown and Eli Manning didn't throw an
interception for the first time this season in the New York Giants' 23-7
triumph over the sloppy Minnesota Vikings. Adrian Peterson, the reigning MVP
and 2,000-yard rusher last season, was held to 28 yards rushing five days
after the funeral of his 2-year-old son. The 27-year-old Hillis tallied 36
yards rushing on 18 carries, while hauling in five passes for 45 yards for
New York (1-6). Manning was 23-of-39 for 200 yards and a touchdown. He came in
leading the NFL with 15 interceptions.

(Sunday, October 20th)

Final Score: Atlanta 31, Tampa Bay 23

Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Ryan threw for 273 yards and three
touchdowns to lead the injury-plagued Atlanta Falcons to a 31-23 win over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ryan was without the services of his two favorite
targets, wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. Jones went on injured
reserve after undergoing foot surgery on Monday and White, who had been
battling a hamstring issue all season, was held out of the lineup. Harry
Douglas was the big benefactor, compiling a career-best 149 yards and a
touchdown on seven catches for Atlanta (2-4), which had lost three straight to
AFC East opponents. Jacquizz Rodgers also had a big day with eight catches for
46 yards and a pair of scores out of the backfield. Mike Glennon went 26-
of-44 passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns for Tampa Bay (0-6) in his
third career start. Doug Martin gained 47 yards on the ground before leaving
with an apparent shoulder injury, and Vincent Jackson caught 10 passes for 138
yards and two scores.

Final Score: Carolina 30, St. Louis 15

Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Cam Newton passed for 204 yards and a
touchdown to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 30-15 victory over the St. Louis
Rams on Sunday. Newton completed 15 of his 17 passes and ran for 26 yards on
10 carries. The Panthers (3-3) have won three of their last four. Steve Smith
caught the lone touchdown pass from Newton and had five receptions for 69
yards. Mike Tolbert added a touchdown run on 13 carries for 36 yards. Before
leaving the game with a leg injury, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford
completed 21 of his 30 pass attempts for 255 yards and a touchdown pass to Zac
Stacy. Stacy had four catches for 34 yards and also gained 53 yards on 17
carries for the Rams (3-4). Captain Munnerlyn added a touchdown for
Carolina on a 45-yard interception return.

Final Score: Cincinnati 27, Detroit 24

Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Nugent's 54-yard field goal as time
expired gave the Cincinnati Bengals a 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions on
Sunday. A 28-yard punt from Sam Martin gave the Bengals the ball back near
midfield and the first play saw Andy Dalton hit Dane Sanzenbacher for seven
yards. The next snap went for eight yards on a catch by Giovani Bernard to
get the ball at the Detroit 36. Cincinnati then called timeout with four
seconds remaining and, after Detroit called a timeout, Nugent calmly drilled
the ball down the middle for the win. Dalton passed for 372 yards and three
scores on 24-of-34 attempts with A.J. Green catching six passes for 155 yards
and a score for the Bengals (5-2), who have won three straight and sit atop
the AFC North. Matthew Stafford went 28-for-51 for 357 yards and three
touchdowns for the Lions (4-3), who were coming off a win in Cleveland.
Calvin Johnson had his best game of the season as he caught nine passes for
155 yards and two scores.

Final Score: San Diego 24, Jacksonville 6

Jacksonville, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Philip Rivers completed 22-of-26 passes
for 285 yards and a touchdown to lead the San Diego Chargers to a 24-6 win
over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ryan Mathews carried the ball 21 times for 110
yards and a touchdown and Eddie Royal caught four passes for 69 yards and
a score for the Chargers (4-3), winners in two straight and three of their
last four overall. San Diego dominated the time of possession 37:30-22:30.
In their four wins this season, the Chargers hold a 150:21-89:39 advantage in
time of possession. Chad Henne completed 23-of-36 passes for 318 yards and
an interception and Mike Brown caught five passes for 120 yards for the
Jaguars (0-7), who failed to score a touchdown for the fourth time this
season.

Final Score: Buffalo 23, Miami 21

Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Dan Carpenter kicked a 31-yard field goal with
33 seconds left after Mario Williams sacked Ryan Tannehill to force a fumble,
lifting the Buffalo Bills to a 23-21 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Miami-area native Thad Lewis, making his second start while EJ Manuel recovers
from a knee sprain, passed for just 202 yards with an interception but the
Bills (3-4) snapped a two-game losing streak and got their first win against
an AFC East opponent this season. Jackson went down holding his left leg
after a run in the first quarter but returned shortly after that and had a
3-yard touchdown run that gave Buffalo an early 14-0 lead. Bills rookie
cornerback Nickell Robey had a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown
just 93 seconds into the game. Tannehill passed for 194 yards and three
touchdowns, including two to Brandon Gibson, but threw two interceptions --
the pick-six to Robey and one in the end zone. Coming off a bye, the
Dolphins (3-3) suffered their third straight loss after starting 3-0. Sunday
was their first division game of the season.

Final Score: NY Jets 30, New England 27 (OT)

East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Nick Folk made the most of a second
chance at a game-winning field goal, drilling a 42-yarder with 5:07 remaining
in overtime to give the New York Jets a 30-27 victory over the New England
Patriots in a thriller from MetLife Stadium. Folk at first pulled a 56-yard
try wide to the left, but was given a reprieve when Patriots defensive
lineman Chris Jones was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for pushing a
teammate into a Jets' blocker on the attempt. The penalty moved the ball
inside the New England 25, and Folk was true on the re-do to complete New
York's comeback from a 21-10 halftime deficit. Antonio Allen ignited the
Jets' second-half rally with a 23-yard interception return touchdown of Tom
Brady on the second play of the third quarter, while Geno Smith threw for a
touchdown and ran for another to help New York (4-3) close within a game of
the AFC-East leading Patriots (5-2) in the division race. Smith shook off a
first-quarter interception that Logan Ryan ran back 79 yards for a touchdown
to complete 17-of-33 passes for 233 yards. Chris Ivory contributed 104
yards on a heavy 34-carry workload to the win, with Jeremy Kerley amassing
97 yards on eight catches and hauling in Smith's TD strike. The Jets'
defense did its part as well, limiting New England to just two
Stephen Gostkowski field goals after halftime and continually frustrating
Brady throughout the afternoon. Brady ended an off-target 22-of-46 for 228
yards without a touchdown despite the return of tight end Rob Gronkowski to
the offense. Gronkowski did make a large impact in his first game back from
offseason back and forearm surgeries, compiling 114 yards on eight receptions
in the loss.

Final Score: Dallas 17, Philadelphia 3

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Despite missing All-Pro defensive end
DeMarcus Ware, the Dallas Cowboys shut down the Philadelphia Eagles' offense
in a 17-3 victory. Many people expected a high-scoring game when the two
teams took the field Sunday in a battle for first place in the NFC East.
Coming into the contest, Dallas was second in the NFL with an average of
30.5 points per game and Philadelphia was fourth with 27.2 ppg. But the
Dallas defense, which came into the contest allowing 25.3 ppg,
recorded three sacks, intercepted rookie quarterback Matt Barkley three
times and limited LeSean McCoy to 55 yards on 18 carries. On the offensive
side of the ball for the Cowboys (4-3), Tony Romo completed 28-of-47 passes
for 317 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. A fourth-quarter
touchdown pass to Terrance Williams extended Romo's streak to 20
consecutive games with a TD pass. Joseph Randle, filling in for an injured
DeMarco Murray, carried the ball 19 times for 65 yards. Dez Bryant caught
eight passes for 110 yards. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, making his second
straight start for an injured Michael Vick, connected on just 11-of-29
passes for 80 yards before leaving after three quarters with a head injury.
Barkley completed 11-of-20 passes for 129 yards in relief. Vick announced
Thursday during a joint press conference with Foles that his injured
hamstring is still not 100 percent. Vick suffered the injury during a
Week 5 win over the New York Giants. Philadelphia (3-4) had a two-game
winning streak snapped and set a new, dubious franchise record with its
ninth straight home defeat. The Eagles' last win at home came on Sept. 30,
2012 against the New York Giants.

Final Score: Washington 45, Chicago 41

Landover, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Roy Helu's third rushing touchdown of the
contest, a three-yard score coming with 45 seconds left in regulation, lifted
the Washington Redskins to a 45-41 victory over the Chicago Bears in an
offensive showcase on Sunday. Helu finished with 41 yards on 11 carries,
with Alfred Morris totaling 95 yards on 19 totes. Jordan Reed ended with a
game-best 134 yards with one score on nine receptions and Aldrick Robinson
added a 45-yard TD catch. Robert Griffin III completed 18-of-29 passes for 298
yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Redskins (2-4), who won
their second in the last three outings thanks to a season-high in points.
Griffin added 84 yards on 11 carries for the victors. Matt Forte also rushed
for three scores, part of a 91-yard, 16-carry effort for the Bears (4-3), who
have dropped three of four and gave up 40-plus points for the second time in
the last four contests. Jay Cutler departed in the second quarter with a
groin injury and did not return, operating at 3-of-8 efficiency for 28 yards
and an interception. Josh McCown finished 14-of-20 for 204 yards and a TD
pass to Martellus Bennett which put Chicago ahead inside of four minutes to
play. Alshon Jeffery totaled 105 yards on four grabs, Brandon Marshall
added 75 yards on six receptions in defeat.

Final Score: San Francisco 31, Tennessee 17

Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Frank Gore rushed for 70 yards and a pair
of touchdowns to help lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 31-17 win over the
Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Colin Kaepernick completed 13-of-21 passes for
199 yards and also rushed for 64 yards and a score and Anquan Boldin caught
five passes for 74 yards for the 49ers (5-2), who have won their last four
games. Jake Locker, who missed the last two games with a hip injury,
completed 25-of-41 passes for 326 yards, two touchdowns and an
interception and Chris Johnson finished with 110 total yards and a receiving
touchdown for the Titans (3-4), who have dropped three straight. Delanie
Walker, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with San
Francisco, caught a touchdown in the setback.

Final Score: Green Bay 31, Cleveland 13

Green Bay, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Aaron Rodgers refused to let a diminished
receiving corps hamper his performance, as the Green Bay quarterback threw for
260 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Packers to a 31-13 victory over the
Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Lambeau Field. After losing star receivers
Randall Cobb and James Jones to injuries in last week's win, Rodgers was
forced to rely heavily on second-year wideout Jarrett Boykin, who entered the
tilt with just six career catches for 70 yards. Boykin rose to the occasion,
racking up a game-high eight receptions for 103 yards and a score, while
Rodgers finished an efficient 25-of-36 passing for the Packers (4-2), who
notched their 10th consecutive home victory. Jordy Nelson and Jermichael
Finley each added a touchdown grab, while Eddie Lacy rushed for 82 yards and
a score on 22 carries in the win. Brandon Weeden struggled under center for
Cleveland (3-4), completing just 17-of-42 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown
with one interception. Jordan Cameron caught Weeden's lone touchdown pass
and finished with seven catches for 55 yards for the Browns, who have lost two
straight.

Final Score: Kansas City 17, Houston 16

Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Smith threw for 240 yards while
rushing for a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense stood tall once again to
keep the Chiefs unbeaten with Sunday's 17-16 victory over a game Houston
Texans squad. The Chiefs limited an injury-plagued Houston offense to a
pair of Randy Bullock field goals while sacking fill-in quarterback Case
Keenum five times over the final two quarters to make a 14-10 halftime lead
stand up and improve the NFL's first-half surprise to 7-0 on the season.
Smith finished an efficient 23-of-34 with an interception, while Jamaal
Charles churned out 86 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the win. Keenum,
elevated from the third string to a starter's role with Matt Schaub
sidelined by a sprained ankle, did perform fairly well in his first NFL
action, and Houston (2-5) gave the Chiefs all they could handle despite losing
running back Arian Foster and linebacker Brian Cushing to injuries during the
game. Keenum fired a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie DeAndre Hopkins in the
second quarter and accumulated 271 yards on 15-of-25 passing with no
interceptions, but lost a fumble on a sack by Tamba Hali with under two
minutes to play that ultimately dealt the disappointing Texans a fifth
consecutive defeat.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 19, Baltimore 16

Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Shaun Suisham's fourth field goal of the
game ended another close battle between AFC North rivals and gave the
Pittsburgh Steelers a 19-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.
Eight of the previous 10 meetings between these teams have been decided by
three points, and Sunday proved no different. Joe Flacco hit Dallas Clark
in the back of the end zone to tie the game, 16-16, with 1:58 remaining,
but Emmanuel Sanders returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards -- barely stepping
out of bounds at the Pittsburgh 37-yard line -- to jump-start the game-
deciding drive. Consecutive receptions by Antonio Brown moved the Steelers
into field-goal range, and Suisham remained perfect on the season and gave
Pittsburgh (2-4) its second straight win after an 0-4 start. Baltimore (3-4)
heads into its bye week having lost three of its last four. Ben Roethlisberger
was limited to 160 yards with a touchdown on 17-of-23 attempts, while
Le'Veon Bell rejuvenated Pittsburgh's running attack with 93 yards on 19
carries. Flacco threw for 215 yards, 64 coming on the game-tying drive
when he completed 9-of-10 passes -- with four completions coming on short
third-down plays, including his toss to Clark on 3rd-and-goal from the 1.

Final Score: Indianapolis 39, Denver 33

Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - The Indianapolis Colts paid homage to
the king, but it was the prince who stole the show. Andrew Luck threw three
touchdown passes and ran for another score in the Colts' 39-33 win over
the Denver Broncos in Peyton Manning's return to Indianapolis, snapping
the Broncos' 17-game regular season winning streak. The Colts remain the lone
NFL team Manning has never beaten. The Indy faithful cheered Manning as a
tribute video was played when Denver came out of the tunnel prior to the
game. Manning waved and thanked the crowd following the conclusion of the
video. Luck and Indianapolis' overlooked stingy defense, though, spoiled
Manning's night. The Colts sacked him four times and forced him into
uncharacteristic miscues. Manning was 29-of-49 for 386 yards with three
touchdowns, an interception and a fumble. After 14 seasons, two Super Bowl
appearances, 11 trips to the playoffs and a plethora of records, the Colts
released Manning on March 7, 2012. The divorce was hardly acrimonious and
understood by both sides. Manning was attempting to recover from four
different surgical procedures on his neck, and the Colts were focused on
their future and Luck. And that future is now. Luck completed 21-of-38 passes
for 228 yards, while Robert Mathis had a strip-sack among his two tackles of
Manning behind the line scrimmage for the Colts (5-2), who were coming off a
19-9 setback in San Diego this past Monday night.

(Thursday, October 17th)

Final Score: Seattle 34, Arizona 22

Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Russell Wilson threw for 235 yards and
three touchdowns to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 34-22 victory over the
Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West clash at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Wilson completed 18-of-29 passes and added 29 rushing yards on eight carries,
while Marshawn Lynch racked up 91 yards and a score on 21 totes for the
Seahawks, who are 6-1 to start a season for the first time in franchise
history. Carson Palmer struggled to get Arizona's offense going against
Seattle's stout defense for much of the night, with the veteran signal-caller
throwing a pair of interceptions before finally finding the end zone in the
fourth quarter. Palmer finished 30-of-45 passing for 258 yards, while Rashard
Mendenhall added a rushing score, but managed just 22 yards on 13 carries for
the Cardinals (3-4), who were coming off a 32-20 setback in San Francisco.